Dogs

to be kept on short leads during nesting time so that we have plenty to shoot at when the chicks grow up.

Little Dog is generally on a short lead on the moors anyway because of her penchant for sheep but I do find the concern for little birds from game hunters a touch ironic.

Heading up the moor in the early sunshine and frost, I headed up to the right, hoping for a closer glimpse of red kites. To my surprise, rounding the corner, in front of my nose was a red kite swooping down the shallow valley. I sat and watched it for a time and was rewarded with another one flying in. A crow began mobbing them and they disappeared as quickly as they arrived.

I also spotted a stonechat but I've been trying to catch a half decent shot of a red grouse in flight for over a year (they are so fast and erratic) so today you have red grouse in flight.